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The Art of Calligraphy in the Ottoman Empire

Figure 1: A large size mushaf written by Ahmed Karahisarî, displaying the aklâm-i sitte. On each page, four rectangular panels (koltuk) show examples of high-quality illumination as executed in the reign Sultan Süleyman I, (Library of the Topkapi Palace Museum).

Figure 2: A picture of a layered rose by Abdullah Buharî, dated 1733 (Library of the Topkapi Palace Museum).

Figure 3: A large, perfectly written hilye written by Kadiasker Mustafa Izzet Efendi. The marginal decoration was done in a Westernised fashion, (private collection).

Ottoman Turks produced and perfected several varieties of Arabic script. All the various branches of the art of calligraphy, an art greatly loved and respected by the Ottoman Turks, were flourished particularly in the city of Istanbul.